Page:Introductory lecture delivered to the class of military surgery in the University of Edinburgh, May 1, 1855 (IA b21916469).pdf/29

28 with the diseases of soldiers and seamen, and with those injuries to which they are exposed in the battle-field, and on the ship's deck? Who will give us the best papers on the medical topography of our many foreign stations, and on the best sites for camps, cantonments, barracks, and hospitals at home and abroad? Who, in short, will evince the most perfect knowledge of all the juvantia et laedentia of a military life? A selection of such papers by an impartial committee, and published by the Government, would give encouragement to the department, and health to the army.

With reference once more to this "civil element," for which we are indebted to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, I would observe, that the expression is somewhat indefinite; and as we are not told how far it is to be carried in the re-organization of the medical department, I would say that if this element must be introduced into the department, it should be at the bottom, not at the top of the tree. I wonder what civil element actuated Larrey when he killed the spare horses of the officers to make soup for his men. This you will allow was a most uncivil proceeding; but for this, Napoleon made him, on the instant, a Baron of the Empire.